Porifera
Porifera, also known as sponges are among the most simple animals. They are usually very colorful as seen in the picture below. These animals are mostly aquatic and there are predicted to be over 15,000 species. The word Porifera means "pore bearing", this is because every sponge is surounded by pores that allow water to flow through them. (think osmosis!) These are some important features of a sea sponge (Write these as your notes, not the in depth decriptions)


  • They feed by filteration
  • They have a different types of cells
  • They have no internal organs.
  • They have a network of microscopic crystals or fibers that act as an internal skeleton.
  • They are asymetrical
  • Reproduction can be asexual or sexual
  • There are three types of sponge stuctures. 1.Asconoid 2.Syconoid 3.leuconoid
  • Are intervertabrates
These 4 characteristics are the main features of Sponge, they will be disscussed in more depth in the following sentances.]
CLASSIFICATION: The classification of a Porifera is
FILTERATION: Sponges have a unique type of cell, not found in the other animal phylum called a choanocyte also known as, collar cells. This unique cell is used in the feeding process of the sponge. The collar cells inside the pores of the sponge create water that is used to create an available food source for the sponge. By pumping the water they can get food source that float around the sponge. They are filter feeders.
SPONGE STRUCTURES

  1. Asconoid sponges are shaped like a simple tube with pores
    An Asconoid Sponge
    An Asconoid Sponge
    Asconoid
  2. Syconoid sponges: Are lager with more tubular bodies
    Syconoid
    Syconoid
  3. Leuconoid sponges:These are the most complex and contain tissue and canals.
    external image 589c.jpg

<--A Leuconoid Syconoid--->
external image turks_scuba_sponges.jpg
external image 370external image Spongebob-Happy-spongebob-squarepants-154897_338_432.jpgUse Spongebob as a reminder that Porifera is a sponge. Also Sponges are made of pores so PORifera
Multible Choice:
Which best explains how Porifera feed?

  1. They have a complex organs similar to our stomach.
  2. The use filteration and move food through their pores.
  3. They use teeth to catch food.
  4. Photosynthesis